Starting from October 16, Member States will be able to grant advances of up to 70% on direct payments under the Common Agricultural Policy and up to 85% on contributions related to headage and area-based interventions under the rural development policy, always within the framework of the CAP.

The 2024 call of Water4All, the Partnership co-funded by Horizon Europe aiming to ensure long-term water security by supporting systemic transformations across the entire water research and innovation chain, fostering the meeting between problem owners and solution providers, is now open focusing on the circular economy of water.

The upcoming IDB Lab Forum, set to take place from October 31 to November 1, 2024, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is poised to be a significant event focusing on financing innovation and entrepreneurship in Latin America and the Caribbean. 

The portal of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), the EU's flagship initiative aimed at strengthening the production of critical emerging technologies relevant to the green and digital transitions in the EU and the Union's strategic sovereignty, is now online.

The European Commission has launched a new call, under the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, to create and develop the first artificial intelligence factories in Europe. Here are the rules for accessing the new activity line of the European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking.

In a significant move reflecting the urgent needs of the Pacific Islands, leaders from the region have called for bold action to replenish the International Development Association (IDA). This appeal comes at a time when Pacific Island nations are grappling with a myriad of challenges, including climate change, economic instability, and governance issues, all of which necessitate enhanced financial support from international partners.

Bridging the innovation gap with the USA and China, especially in advanced technologies. Developing a joint plan for decarbonization and competitiveness. Focusing on increasing security and reducing dependencies. These are the three areas of intervention to relaunch the EU's sustainable growth, highlighted in the much-anticipated Draghi Report on competitiveness, presented today.

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Action Plan (2025-2027) was unveiled during the Beijing Summit and Ninth Ministerial Conference held from September 4 to 6, 2024. This strategic plan outlines the roadmap for China-Africa relations over the next three years, focusing on mutual development, peace, and prosperity.

The aids of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) should be more targeted and focus on the most struggling businesses, to prevent the abandonment of agricultural activity by operators who guarantee Europe's food security and essential ecosystem services. A Just Transition Fund, external to the CAP, should instead temporarily accompany the entire agri-food sector towards more sustainable practices and systems, combined with a Nature Restoration Fund, greater involvement of private capital, and an EIB loan framework designed for agrifood. These are some of the recommendations contained in the final report of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture.

The CINEA Agency has published, on behalf of the European Commission, the fourth call for the selection of cross-border renewable energy projects classified as CB RES, the program created in 2021 under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). There is time until January 7, 2025, to participate. CEF Energy Infrastructure 2024: 850mln for Cross-Border Projects

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $93.6 million financing package to improve and expand climate-resilient and inclusive rural water supply, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities in Cambodia. This significant investment aims to benefit approximately 88,000 households in 400 villages across 50 communes in nine provinces.

In a significant move aimed at bolstering climate resilience in one of the world's most vulnerable regions, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved a funding package of $151 million for the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) climate resilience programme.

A study by the EU Commission provides a provisional assessment of the functioning of Horizon Europe. Among the findings, it is noted that, compared to its predecessor, it takes an average of 23 more days to sign grants. Other interesting data include: improved success rates, the impact of consultancy services, and the overall ease of participating in Horizon Europe calls.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has unveiled a transformative strategy aimed at steering Turkmenistan towards a more sustainable, climate-resilient, and competitive economy. This initiative, encapsulated in the ADB's Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for 2024-2028, emphasizes the urgent need for economic diversification, environmental sustainability, and enhanced institutional capacity within the Central Asian nation.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the African Union (AU) have officially launched a groundbreaking initiative aimed at eradicating malnutrition across Africa. This significant announcement was made during a high-level round table event on August 23, 2024, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, coinciding with the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union.

The biodiversity partnership co-funded by Horizon Europe is ready to launch its fourth call, with a budget of 40 million euros between participating countries and the EU Commission. While waiting for the official launch, here are the first previews of the Biodiversa+ 2024 call.

The German Agency for Disruptive Innovation has developed a new funding model for the development of broad-spectrum antivirals that can be rapidly deployed in future pandemics. This is a scheme aimed at bridging the gap between public health benefits and the financial attractiveness, for companies, of investing in R&D paths characterized by low returns on private investments. Clean Industrial Deal and European Competitiveness Fund: the priorities of the von der Leyen bis

A new call promoted by the European Space Agency (ESA) will open on September 23rd to study the technical and commercial feasibility of services that address the sustainability challenges of the pharmaceutical sector using satellite data or space technologies. From pharmaceutical waste management to the circularity of the 'pharma' sector, these are the challenges addressed by the ESA call. New call for startups from the CASSINI Business Accelerator is open

Improving the competitiveness of European higher education by strengthening collaboration between higher education institutions and business partners across Europe. This is the goal of the new call, which will be launched in the fall, promoted by the EIT HEI Initiative: a pilot project active since 2021 and, thanks to its success, extended until 2027. Clean Industrial Deal and European Competitiveness Fund: the priorities of the von der Leyen bis

In a landmark initiative to bolster Romania’s renewable energy sector, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Raiffeisen Bank International have announced a €110 million financing package aimed at developing two solar photovoltaic power plants in southeastern Romania.

In recent days, EIT Urban Mobility has launched a new call aimed at supporting projects capable of developing and testing their innovative solutions with demonstrations to be carried out in the field, in cities, and achieving commercial feasibility by the end of the project. How does the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) work?

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced a new initiative aimed at enhancing the resilience of rural women in Tajikistan, a country grappling with significant socio-economic challenges. This program is crucial in a context where rural women play a pivotal role in the economy yet face numerous barriers that hinder their full participation and empowerment.

The Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism (AFFM), an initiative of the African Development Bank, is set to launch a fertilizer financing project in Uganda aimed at improving access to fertilizers for smallholder farmers. The project will provide a $2 million partial trade credit guarantee to fertilizer suppliers and distributors for the delivery of 60,000 tons of fertilizer to farmers across the country.

World Water Week 2024 is set to take place from August 25 to 29 in Stockholm, Sweden, under the theme “Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future.” This year’s event aims to highlight the critical role of water in fostering peace and security, addressing various dimensions such as human security, food and nutrition security, and ecosystem security.

A recent report from the World Bank has raised alarm bells regarding the economic futures of over 100 developing countries, warning that they risk becoming ensnared in what is termed the “middle-income trap.” This phenomenon occurs when nations reach a certain level of income but struggle to transition to high-income status, thereby stalling their economic growth and development.

The application of digital technologies in strategic sectors is crucial to achieve the EU's ambitious climate neutrality goals, with the target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In this regard, a recent report by the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology (FIT), supported by the European Commission's DG CONNECT, explored the potential impact of digital infrastructures in the decarbonization process of the energy and mobility sectors. What the Net-Zero Industry Act provides

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a $26.55 million loan to Togo to implement the second phase of the Agri-food Processing Zone Project. The aim is to provide the country with an industrial hub for processing agricultural products and establish a business zone to offer opportunities to young people and women in the northern Kara and Savanes regions.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved two policy-based loans totalling $400 million to support the Government of Uzbekistan’s initiatives to enhance the country’s financial markets and develop a sustainable, market-led power sector.

In a significant move to enhance economic opportunities for young people in Angola, the African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a loan of $79 million aimed at fostering youth employment in the agriculture and transportation sectors.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has recently made significant strides in supporting urban development and climate resilience in Asia. Two notable projects include a $200 million loan aimed at improving urban mobility in Nagpur, India, and a $50 million grant to foster a climate-friendly business environment in Tajikistan.

The new study by the EIB Group focuses on removing investment barriers and increasing public intervention in favour of innovative European scale-ups, i.e. companies between the start-up and the established company phase, in order to foster their growth and at the same time increase the EU's global technological competitiveness.

There is time until September 6 to participate in the public consultation launched by the European Commission to gather the views of relevant stakeholders on the Public Sector Loan Facility (PSLF), as part of the Just Transition Mechanism.

The DIGITAL SME Investment and Procurement Platform is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing the accessibility of funding and large enterprise clients for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups across Europe.

The recently released 2024 Africa Sustainable Development Report (ASDR) has underscored a critical message: without significant increases in development financing, Africa's progress towards sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the African Union's Agenda 2063 is at serious risk.

With the entry into force of the new Regulation 2024/1679 on the Union guidelines for the development of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), the intermediate objectives set for 2030, 2040, and 2050 are being realized. A unique opportunity to achieve them comes from the CEF Transport, the funding instrument that supports European transport infrastructure policy by financing large strategic investments in the sector. Let's see how.

A new “Clean Industrial Deal” within the first 100 days of the mandate to support the competitiveness of European businesses without compromising sustainability ambitions. Additionally, increased research spending, a new European Competitiveness Fund, Union of Savings and Investments, AI Factories, public procurement favoring European products, initiation of new IPCEIs, less bureaucracy, and risk absorption measures for venture capital. These are some of the main policy directions in economic development and competitiveness that will guide the new EU Commission over the next 5 years.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a substantial $240.5 million financing package to accelerate the deployment of rooftop solar systems across India. This initiative will support the Indian government's ambitious renewable energy targets and is in line with the Prime Minister's Surya Ghar programme, which aims to promote the widespread adoption of rooftop solar across the country.

According to a report by the European Court of Auditors, the EU has only partially succeeded in laying the foundations for the emerging renewable hydrogen market. Despite various positive actions taken by the European Commission, issues persist throughout the hydrogen value chain, and it is unlikely that the EU will meet its 2030 targets. The Court, therefore, urges a reassessment to ensure that the Union's goals are realistic and that strategic choices do not compromise the competitiveness of key industries or create new dependencies.

As part of the Horizon Europe program, two calls are active until the end of September to enhance cutting-edge research infrastructures, essential for the continuity of new knowledge production, technological development, and open science. Horizon Europe: incoming Mission Cities calls for proposals

The World Bank's latest Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) report for Africa has spotlighted best practices designed to bolster African businesses. This annual diagnostic tool evaluates the quality of policies and institutions in countries eligible for financing from the International Development Association (IDA), focusing on four key areas: economic management, structural policies, policies for social inclusion and equity, and public sector management and institutions.

As proof of the relevance of open innovation in the life sciences sector, the Knowledge and Innovation Community of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) dedicated to health has launched a new program aimed at connecting the demand for innovation (private buyers of innovation and/or healthcare providers such as hospitals) with the supply (innovators such as startups or SMEs).

EIT Digital, one of the leading Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KIC) of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), has launched the "Disruptive AI" 2024 call with the aim of supporting innovative and disruptive artificial intelligence technologies. The call offers personalized training for the development and growth of innovative AI technologies.

On September 17, new Horizon Cluster 5 calls will open, dedicated to supporting research and innovation activities capable of making energy supplies secure, sustainable, and competitive by betting on renewable energies. In the 2024 calls, European funding mainly focuses on photovoltaics, solar thermal energy, biofuels/biochemicals/biomaterials, and CO2 removal systems.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $100 million policy-based loan to support and facilitate power sector reforms in Sri Lanka. The program aims to consolidate the electricity industry reforms implemented under the Electricity Act 2009 by unbundling the state-owned Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) into separate corporate entities for generation, transmission, and distribution. 

Following the calls for the development of four pilot lines for future chips, the Semiconductors Joint Undertaking (Chips Joint Undertaking) has recently launched the first tranche of a new round of calls for the development of semiconductors and microelectronics in Europe. These are two calls worth 120 million euros, which aim to create a network of Chips Competence Centres across Europe to facilitate access by SMEs and start-ups to the infrastructures funded by the Joint Undertaking, starting with the four pilot lines selected in recent months, one of which is planned in our country. Two other calls will follow in the coming weeks. Semiconductors: Chips Joint Undertaking launched

A new call for Mission Cities will be launched in mid-September. After selecting the 100 European cities that will serve as laboratories for experimenting with sustainable practices, the Mission continues its journey to support the EU's climate neutrality by focusing on cities, the world's main CO2 fronts. Nearly €100 million will be on the table, divided into four themes to fund research, development and innovation projects.

The World Bank and the United Nations Capital Development Fund published the interesting report "Local Governments Climate Finance Instruments: Global Experiences and Prospects in Developing Countries". Cities in developing countries are at the forefront of confronting and mitigating the impacts of climate change. 

The European Commission has approved the launch of the new EIT (European Institute of Innovation and Technology) Knowledge and Innovation Community focused on water, marine, and maritime sectors and ecosystems. New calls for proposal coming soon.

The World Bank Group has launched a new Guarantee Platform that aims to revolutionize the landscape of development financing. The platform, housed at the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), brings together guarantee products and experts from across the World Bank Group institutions - the World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC), and MIGA - to provide a simplified, efficient, and accessible one-stop-shop for clients.

The European Commission recently published its second annual report on the State of the Digital Decade, providing a comprehensive overview of the EU's progress towards its ambitious digital transformation goals for 2030.